Peru: Anti-corruption marches Dec. 20-21 /update 3

Event

Sociopolitical tensions remain high in Peru due to an intensifying corruption scandal implicating President Pablo Kuczynski. A march will be held in the capital Lima on Wednesday, December 20, to demand the departure of Kuczynski as well as other politicians accused of corruption. Demonstrators will gather at the Plaza San Martín at 06:00 (local time) and are expected to march along the main streets of central Lima. Although the exact route remains unclear, protesters may march via the Paseo Colón and/or Avenida Alfonso Ugarte. The protest will likely result in traffic disruptions; clashes and other incidents of violence cannot be ruled out. Smaller related protests are expected to take place elsewhere in the country as well.

Additionally, the CGTP labor union has called for additional marches to be held nationwide on December 21, to coincide with expected impeachment proceedings taking place in Congress the same day. Kuczynski’s detractors have reportedly secured enough votes, a two-thirds majority, to remove him from office.

Counter demonstrations in support of Kuczynski are possible on both days.

Context

Kuczynski has been accused of accepting bribes from the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht for the procurement of public contracts. Ongoing investigations into the Odebrecht scandal have uncovered a widespread network of government officials bribed to secure contracts, implicating high-ranking politicians across Latin America.

Thousands of Kuczynski supporters marched in Lima and Cuzco on December 16 to protest the expected impeachment. The protesters alleged that Popular Force party politicians, political rivals to Kuczynski's Peruvians for Change (PPK) party, are using their majority in the Peruvian Congress to unfairly call for Kuczynski's impeachment on political grounds without regard for due process.

Advice

Individuals in Peru are advised to stay informed of the evolving sociopolitical climate in the coming weeks and to avoid all protests as a precaution.